Stonebridge Singers front row L-R: John Vogel, Tanner Hendrickson, David Logan, and Bob Vogel. Second row L-R: Brent Sorenson, Caide Northrup, Trevor Deschampe, Brandon Morrison-Deschampe, and Marcus Logan.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity awaits the Stone Bridge Singers, but they need some help to make it happen.
The Stone Bridge Singers need to raise $20,000 to cover the cost of airfare for 15 people to fly to France so they can be part of the “The Musiques entre Pierres” festival held in the French City of Toulouse.
The invitation came from Bart Bullock, a composer and concert pianist who visited Grand Portage last year to get inspiration so he could complete an oratorio he called “The Awakening of Humanity.”
After spending time touring the Heritage Center, the museum, visiting the Little Spirit Tree with tribal councilman John Morrin and meeting with and listening to the Stone Bridge Singers—who spent time explaining the songs’ meanings to Bullock and where the songs came from—Bullock returned to France, his home the last 30 years, and contacted Grand Portage executive assistant Agatha Armstrong with an invitation.
In addition to the Stone Bridge Singers, Bullock asked that Morrin accompany the group to participate in conferences/ talks which are a part of the festival, and also, he asked if senior (school age) brave and princess dancers could also attend the festival.
After talking to everyone about the invitation and getting a positive response, Armstrong contacted Bullock and explained the young dancers didn’t have money to cover the cost of airfare. Bullock explained he could secure the finances needed to cover the group’s expenses in France, and asked if they could acquire the funds for round-trip airfare.
That’s where the public can help with donations. On June 21 the Stone Bridge Singers held a fundraising event. A second fundraiser will be held Thursday, July 5 at 5 p.m. at the Grand Portage Community Center. There will be Indian tacos for sale, a 50/50 raffle and a bucket raffle at the July 5 event.
If you can’t attend the July fundraiser, you can send a donation to Grand Portage RTC/Stone Bridge, PO Box 428, Grand Portage, Minnesota 55605.
“This is a truly unique opportunity,” said Norman Deschampe, Grand Portage tribal chairman. “Not just for the Stone Bridge Singers and Grand Portage, but for all Minnesota Chippewa. These people will be ‘ambassadors’ for the Ojibwe people, sharing some of our rich history with the people of France.
“John Morrin’s knowledge of our history and culture will be heard by many. The French people will hear and learn about our beautiful ceremonial songs and watch our young dancers move to the beat of their drum.”
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